Floriana FC tightened their hold at the top of the Closing Round Top Six with a crucial victory over Marsaxlokk FC, moving nine points clear with just three matches remaining.
The result all but secures Florianaโs place in the end-of-season title showdown, although whether that will be a direct decider against ฤฆamrun Spartans FC or through a Final Four format is still to be determined. For Marsaxlokk, the defeat reopens the race for second place, with several teams now back in contention.
Marsaxlokk made the brighter start and took the lead when Dodo timed his run perfectly to beat the offside trap and finish low past Giacomo Cioletti.
Floriana responded almost immediately, with Federico Varela restoring parity just minutes later. The match remained open and entertaining, with Marsaxlokk going close to regaining the lead when Dodoโs header drifted narrowly wide.
On 34 minutes, Floriana appealed for a penalty following a challenge by Leandro Aguirre on Carlo Zammit Lonardelli, but referee Matthew DeGabriele dismissed the claims even after a Football Video Support review.
The Greens completed the turnaround just before halftime when Paul Mbongโs effort took a deflection, wrong-footing goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi and finding the net.
Floriana carried their momentum into the second half, with Dunstan Vella seeing an early attempt blocked. At the other end, Cioletti proved crucial with two excellent saves, first from distance and then denying Aguirre from close range.
Marsaxlokk were made to pay for those missed chances as Varela struck again, finishing low past Mafoumbi to make it 3โ1 and give Floriana a comfortable cushion.
Both sides made changes in the closing stages, with Floriana managing the game while Marsaxlokk searched for a way back. Varela nearly completed his hat-trick late on, but Mafoumbi produced a fine save to deny him.
The victory strengthens Florianaโs title charge, while Marsaxlokk are left to regroup as the battle for second place intensifies.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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